Roger Taylor, Man on Fire
(EMI-1984)
It is not
often a band gets that famous the drummer is a household celebrity. Well even
in my house my mum would say "oh it's that drummer from Queen" so
that is very famous to me. But many people don't know Roger Taylor has to date
made four solo albums and another three under a band name The Cross.
This was
his second and made at a time where the band were not sure if they would
continue. After the shambles of the crap disco album Hot Space the band went on
a break. Members went on and made some other music and this was his own
hobby.
The album
is to me is simply a fun album, all instruments are played by Taylor. So even
he was treating this as fun as if you wanted a serious rock album you would get
in the proper deal in a real band. So he could then have some fun in the lyrics
as well.
"Strange Frontier" kick the album of in a great
style, very 80s and a sound that fits nicely in 84. Nothing wrong with
keyboards and drum machines if done well and with a catchy song. It was a
single but the lack of promotion and the hope a Queen album was out soon the
record company kept money for promotion. But many people did hear it and got it
(Creeping into number 98).
Track two "Beautiful Dreams" was a single in
Portugal and I think rightly so, could be the only place this album got some
sort of respect. It is a slow number and a nice song of dreaming of finding a
cure for something. Track three is another single in the UK anyhow (No 66)
"Man on Fire" takes it back to the classic rock feel and again it is
well done. The song is full of anger, lyrics depicting someone not working with
no money but I think some could have been due to the mistakes that were made in
Queen. Decisions that were out of his hands. This song shows his nice
production job, not so much a shiny as the big bands but done to his
taste. For such a great drummer to walk away from a kit and use a machine it
shows how skilled he is in the studio.
Next two songs are covers, "Racing In
The Street" by Bruce Springsteen and
"Masters Of War" by Bob Dylan.
Both have been done very well with the first making me tap my foot. I all of a
sudden want a Telecaster.
The album feels so well done that as a side project it is a
shame it was missed by even the biggest Queen fans. "Killing
Time" really shows his alt rock side, some nice lyrics very much science
fiction orientated. Some guests are invited to play on this album "Abandonfire"
has help from producer David Richards who helps make the song into a real synth
free for all but as you would expect in the 80s. "It's an
Illusion" welcomes Rick Parfitt" and his classic six sting abilities
on board.
Roger has a fantastic voice but it works best in a rock style
and with Parfitt here to help and rock is what you will get. Nice
little guitar riffs and that good old sound we all know. Last song "I Cry For You (Love, Hope
And Confusion)" leaves you with the hope of another album soon (the
next was not for ten years) it ends with a big sound and some lyrics that
really show that it may well be a long time to the next album. Not sure what
the idea was at the time as after this album Queen went big again after the
Live Aid performance and Magic Tour of 86 Platinum albums were on the cards
again. Roger decided after Queen were not touring to form the Cross who did have
success in Germany for many years.
The album
seems to be called dated upon its re-release and given a low score, I
think many of the reviewers really did not listen. It has been out of
print for a while but copies are out there. Again the blog is here to show you
the albums I feel many people miss out on and this is one that could easily be
in many peoples collection. Try putting it on with friend round and
having them guess who or what it is. I see a few quid being made here ha ha.
I hate
reviewing album that are out of print and more so not available on
download But this can be bought in many second hand stores and e bay for a few
quid. If you see it available as MP3 let me know and I will
update.
